Word
cringe
US/ˈkɹɪndʒ/
UK/kɹˈɪndʒ/
Definitions
01to feel embarrassed
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to feel very embarrassed or awkward because of something someone else does or says.
v. to experience an internal sensation of acute embarrassment or secondhand discomfort.
“I cringe every time I think about the mistake I made during the presentation.”
“She couldn't help but cringe as her father began telling his outdated jokes to her new colleagues.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'at'.
02to pull away in fear
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to move your body back or down because you are afraid or in pain.
v. to recoil or shrink back physically, typically as a reflexive response to fear, pain, or disgust.
“The dog would cringe whenever it heard a loud noise like thunder.”
“The witness seemed to cringe under the prosecutor's aggressive questioning, pulling her shoulders in as if to hide.”
03awkward or uncool
C1 · Advanced Slang · Informal
adj. describing something that is very embarrassing or socially awkward.
adj. functioning as a synonym for 'cringeworthy'; used to describe content or behaviour that induces secondhand embarrassment.
“That old video of me dancing is so cringe I can't even watch it.”
“The brand's attempt to use modern slang in their advertisement felt forced and incredibly cringe to the younger audience.”
Teaching tip
While traditionally a verb, this adjectival use is extremely common in internet culture and among younger speakers.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“The wide-eyed Kylie, meanwhile, had to take bigger risks; she had to shake off Neighbours, Jason Donovan and the sense of playing dress-up in a box marked “cringe”.” “But many comments and shares called the video "cringe".” Etymology
The verb is derived from Middle English crengen (“to bend in a haughty manner; to condescend”) [and other forms], from Old English crenċan, crenċġan, crenġan (“to cause to fall or turn”), the causative of crinċġan (“to yield; to cringe; to fall; to die, perish”), from Proto-Germanic krangijaną (“to cause to fall; to cause to turn”), from Proto-Germanic kringaną, krinkaną (“to fall; to turn; to yield”) (from Proto-Indo-European grenǵʰ- (“to turn”)) + -janą (suffix forming causatives with the sense ‘to cause to do (the action of the verb)’ from strong verbs). The English word is cognate with Danish krænge (“to turn inside out, evert”), Dutch krengen (“to careen, veer”) and Dutch kring (“circle”), Scots crenge, creenge, creinge, crienge (“to cringe; to shrug”), Swedish kränga (“to careen; to heel, lurch; to toss”), and West Frisian kringe (“to pinch; to poke; to push; to insist, urge”); and is a doublet of crinkle. The noun and adjective are derived from the verb via zero derivation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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